Avail 3 vs Scattante R-330

[uforgot]

I can't find a geometry chart on the Performance bike. I was going to look at how they compare. (The Giant geometry is on their website) It doesn't matter how great the components are, if it doesn't fit, you won't want to ride it. The one thing that you don't want to tweak if you don't have to is fit.

A few other things to consider: I assume you are getting the Giant from a dealer? Are they throwing in tuneups or anything like that? You may want to consider that in the overall cost. Personally, I wouldn't buy a bike I hadn't ridden, unless I was sure it would fit. It also appears that both bikes have Sora components, and although I haven't ridden them personally, there are a lot of people on here who don't like them. Perhaps they will chime in with a component comparison for you. We've also heard a few horror stories on here about Performance's customer service with the bikes. You may want to check that out.

If you don't like the bike, don't get it. Look around some more, ride some more bikes and find one you love. If you love the Giant and can swing it, go for it. I've settled for less when I thought it would be better to save a few bucks, and in the long run it's better to save, get what you want, and love your bike. YOU are the one that has to ride it.

[Owlie]

Exactly. I don't want to buy a bike that I can't try out until I've paid for it. That's silly. I'd be buying the Avail from the LBS, and as far as I know, they give a 10% discount for a year after buying the bike on things in the store, as well as a year of free tuneups. (At least, they were when my friend bought her bike from them.) As much as the boyfriend says "I can do that for you!", why make him do things if they'll do it for free?

[Running Mommy]

Being a Giant dealer I may be biased... BUT. Consider this...

Most small bike shops will offer a 30 day tune up, and a lot of them- like us for example- offer free adjustments for the life of the bike.
ALSO any good lbs is going to do a proper fit on you. Make sure the stem and bar sizes are correct, and if necessary change out at minimal to no charge.
AND set up your pedals and shoes if you are using a clipless system.

The experience I have had with our local performance shop is that they are nowhere near that personal. AND an employee told me that they really don't like working on bikes, so they charge astronomical fee's for service hoping you will go elsewhere. I've also yet to be in a performance store and see them doing a bike fit. They MAY do it at your store, but I've never seen it at the local performance.

So even if you don't go with a Giant, I would make sure that you are really getting your moneys worth. As my mom used to say "no sense being penny wise, and pound foolish".
Proper fit is essential with a road bike. Don't skimp on that!!

[Cataboo]

do you have a performance near you so you can se test out the scattante?

I had a scattante frame for a while, it had good components, and I just waited till I found a frame I liked better... and swapped all the pieces ontto that.

[Owlie]

So even if you don't go with a Giant, I would make sure that you are really getting your moneys worth. As my mom used to say "no sense being penny wise, and pound foolish".
Proper fit is essential with a road bike. Don't skimp on that!!

This. Just because of the nature of Performance stores--you go there to buy things that you can buy online if you don't want to pay for shipping--makes me think that fit and making sure it's right for the buyer is of secondary importance.

You know, I'm going to ask my boyfriend if he's ever bought a bike from them. I'm pretty sure he hasn't. (And Running Mommy, if Goodyear is where I think it is, odds are good that he'd be dealing with the same Performance store you are.) He's rather set on that bike, but I've got my doubts, and I think you hit the nail on the head. I'd much rather buy a bike from somewhere that will actually make sure it's right than somewhere that only might. I'm also asking "Okay, why is this thing so cheap?"

ETA: Catriona--Yes. I will consider and test both bikes. Since this is quite a bit of money and I probably won't be upgrading for a while (living on grad student funds...), I'll be making pretty sure that I like the bike.

[Running Mommy]

our local one is in Peoria AZ. Nice enough guys, But yeah it reminds me of the wal mart of bike shops. Or maybe target??

[Eden]

I did buy a bike from Performance once. It was mainly because they are the only Fuji dealer around and I was looking specifically for one - they were among the first to offer 44cm bikes with 700c wheels and had the shortest top tube available at the time.

I was very happy with the bike and it was a good value. The customer service was very good. They special ordered my size with no obligations and got it quite quickly. The build was so-so. Performance doesn't necessarily attract the most competent mechanics. Everything functioned, but they did odd things like put the hoods way up high rather than flat, then looks askew at me when I wanted them moved..... Performance doesn't generally do fits - at least not around here, but then neither did the LBS where I got my much pricier race bike... to tell the truth that was OK with me, as I don't think they really know the first thing about it. They tried to talk me into a bigger bike - trust me I know I need a 44....

Beware - though they have a reputation for being cheap, Performance is not necessarily less expensive, so don't assume that you are getting a good deal just because you order it from them. I just got a pair of Speedplay pedals at one of our LBS's that were $20 less than online from Performance.

[ilima]

I wouldn't worry about the components. Both bikes use intro-level (Sora) components, but the Scattante does have the newest version. The difference isn't big enough to bother with. Now, if the Scattante had 10-spd 105, well that'd be a different story.

While I like black bikes, the Giant is a better looking bike.

Others are right about considering the entire cost of owning the bike. A brand new bike will have its derailleur cables stretch, for example. Totally normal. I was in my LBS quite a few times after I bought a new road bike. As long as it wasn't too busy, they'd adjust things for me right then and there. Of course, no charge. I don't think you'd get that kind of service if you brought in a bike from Performance. And it doesn't sound like the mechanics at many Performance shops are that great (although I'm sure there are exceptions).